Canada was blessed with a long-anticipated visit from His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje. After years of invitation, the Gyalwang Karmapa landed in Toronto and begun his first Canadian tour on May 29, 2017. His Holiness traveled country-wide, from east to west, giving public talks and performing Buddhist rituals. After two weeks of events scheduled on the east coast, His Holiness stopped at Calgary for a public event before reaching Vancouver– the final destination for this tour. Along the way, His Holiness visited many Buddhist centers of various traditions and enjoyed much of the beauty the Canadian landscape has to offer. In Vancouver, the Gyalwang Karmapa offered a week of events, with an off-the-schedule Long Life Prayer event for the Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche on His Holiness’ birthday. On June 25, 2017, the Canadian tour organizer, Karma Kagyu Association of Canada, planned an appreciation event in an attempt to express the immense gratitude felt by Canadian students towards His Holiness. During this dinner gathering, as His Holiness has expressed reluctance to celebrate his birthday at the absence of his parents, cakes were presented in three colors representing a body-speech-mind offering, instead. During his visit, the Gyalwang Karmapa displayed authentic compassion in action, offering teachings and blessings at every step of the way. He is an exemplar of selflessness, a worthy cause to be pursued by those willing to endeavor the path of a bodhisattva. We thank His Holiness, for all the kindness and blessings toward Canada and its people.
For more details on his visit to Canada please go here.
